Newcomer joins two incumbents as Snow Hill commissioners

Tuesday

SNOW HILL — Two incumbents and one newcomer came out on top out of the five commissioner candidates in the only contested race in Greene County.

Incumbents Geraldine “Pat” Shackleford won the most votes and Robert “Bobby” Taylor trailed her by 13 votes. Rosa Wilkes followed 13 votes behind Taylor.

Shackleford will be starting her third term as a commissioner in the county seat.

“First of all, I want to thank God that I was here and we were working for the people in the town and for the community,” she said. “And I will continue to work for the voice of our people, and I want everything to grow. And we will still be united together.”

“Tickled,” is how Taylor, who has served since 2009, said he felt about winning.

“Tickled to be able to serve four more years, and excited,” he said. “I appreciate the support from the citizens.”

It was Wilkes’ first time running.

“I thank God that he has allowed me to have a voice for the people and to realize and understand,” she said, “and to know without a doubt that He will always bring us out. And … if we don’t fall for anything, we’ll stand for something. And we stand united.”

Incumbent Rebecca “Becki” Scarborough, who served one term, lost by 28 votes.

“I first and foremost want to thank the many friends and community members that have supported me for the last four years,” she said. “… I also have a true peace in my heart because I know that I left Snow Hill better than I found it.”

Roger Whitson has served a partial term, but lost last time around.

“The people have spoken,” he said. “I feel really good. … I think it shows, once again, that with Bobby Taylor being reelected that some folks are listening to the issues — the growth of the town and solid management of the community.”

More than 150 people had turned out to vote at the Snow Hill precinct around 7 p.m. on Tuesday.